Electrophoretic deposition of biocompatible composite coatings containing hydroxyapatite, alumina, and yttria-stabilized zirconia from iodine-stabilized acetone/isopropanol suspensions

In the present study, a biocompatible coating containing hydroxyapatite, alumina, and yttria-stabilized zirconia was deposited on the surface of titanium substrates by electrophoretic deposition method (EPD) and the reaction bonding process. The coating procedure was carried out using an electrical power supply device and a suspension of hydroxyapatite, aluminum, and yttria-stabilized zirconia nano-powders in isopropanol-acetone solvent (1:1). Iodine was used as a stabilizer. The electrical conductivity, pH, zeta potential, and mobility of the suspension were measured as a function of the iodine stabilizer concentration. The optimum amount of iodine was 0.6 g/l. The particle size distribution of the powders was measured at the optimal iodine concentration. The deposition was conducted at different voltages and durations, where voltage of 10 V and the deposition duration of 120 s led to the best results.